Opticians

Career summary

#No alternate titles CJ

Dispensing opticians fit glasses and contacts and sell frames. They take measurements of clients' eyes and nose bridges. They help clients pick frames that complement their face shape and lifestyle. They make sure that frames work with client prescriptions and face and eye measurements.

Opticians prepare work orders and instructions for making lenses and eyeglasses. If the client has insurance, they often submit insurance forms for payment.

Opticians help clients select contact lenses. They make adjustments and minor repairs to frames. They teach clients how to properly wear and clean their glasses. If a client ordered contact lenses, they teach them how to insert and remove them. They teach them how to clean and store their contacts.

Opticians may sell:

• Cleaning solutions
• Contacts
• Eye cases
• Frames
• Sunglasses

Opticians often have sales and administrative duties. They may arrange displays of frames and other merchandise. They keep records of work orders, insurance payments, and inventory. They may also do some bookkeeping.

Some opticians make lenses to meet prescription specifications. They grind the lenses and verify their accuracy. They apply selected coatings, polish the edges, and assemble the lenses and frame parts.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Buyers and Purchasing Agents
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Customer Service Representatives
• Dental Laboratory Technicians
• Medical Assistants
• Ophthalmic Technicians
• Optometrists
• Pharmacy Technicians

Military careers

• Optometric Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to opticians.

• Take measurements of clients' eyes and nose bridges.
• Evaluate prescriptions based on clients' work and lifestyle.
• Prepare work orders and instructions for making lenses and eyeglasses.
• Help customers select lenses, lens coatings, and frames.
• Make lenses to prescription specifications and check their accuracy.
• Sell various items to customers, including contact lenses, sunglasses, and cleaning solutions.
• Make adjustments to eyeglasses to fit client.
• Teach clients how to wear and care for their glasses or contact lenses.
• Repair damaged frames.
• Grind the lens edge or apply coatings to lenses.
• Maintain records of prescriptions, orders, and payments.
• May do clerical duties, such as inventory, sending insurance information, and bookkeeping.
• May train student opticians.

Common work activities

Opticians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform for or work with the public
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Get information needed to do the job
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Process information
• Use computers
• Monitor and control resources
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Analyze data or information
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Assist and care for others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Teach others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Coach others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Schedule work and activities
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Think creatively

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, opticians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a very high level of social contact. Opticians work directly with customers.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a daily basis. They also communicate by letters and memos, but less often.
• May sometimes deal with conflict situations in which people might be unpleasant or angry.
• Are somewhat responsible for the results of work done by other workers.
• May work as part of a work group or team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of customers during an exam.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Work very near others. They often come in physical contact with customers.
• Occasionally are exposed to diseases and infections.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. They must make sure customers' eyeglasses are made correctly.
• Make decisions that affect customers on a daily basis. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals for the day without consulting a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict weekly deadlines.
• Sometimes repeat the same physical or mental activities.

Hours/travel

• Most work Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.
• Those who work in retail stores may work evenings and weekends.
• May work part time or full time.

Physical demands

Opticians frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for opticians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for opticians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

Skills and abilities

Opticians need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Opticianry

Other programs of study to consider

• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology
• Ophthalmic Technology
• Optometric Technology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Training

To work as an optician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some opticians learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer programs in opticianry. Two-year programs usually grant an associate degree. One-year programs offer a certificate. Training usually includes courses in optical math, optical physics, and tool and equipment use.

Work experience

Experience working as an ophthalmic laboratory technician is good background for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Most opticians learn their skills on the job from experienced opticians. Training typically lasts at least one year. Some employers or optical dispensing companies offer apprenticeships that last two to four years.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be optometric technicians. Training lasts from nine to 13 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Washington apprenticeships

For specific information on dispensing optician apprenticeship opportunities and requirements, visit the Department of Labor & Industries website .

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#Verified info above--4/2/08 lh & 3/18/09 & 3/9/11, 4/11/13, 3/6/17 cj

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. Opticians need to understand optical physics, so taking science through physics is a great way to prepare for this occupation.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Health Care
• Vision Care Assisting

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer high school graduates who have some combination of formal training and experience. It is possible to be hired without any experience at all. Dispensing opticians work directly with the public so they should be tactful, pleasant, and communicate well.

In addition to state licensing, some opticians may choose to be certified. The American Board of Opticianry certifies workers who dispense and work with glasses and the National Contact Lens Examiners certify those who fit and work with contact lenses. See the Other Resources section in this description for contact information for these organizations.

#Cert comments above still correct, 3/14/07, 3/18/09 & 3/9/11, 4/11/13, 12/12/16, 4/8/19 CJ.

Tips

High school or community college courses in physics and math, including algebra are important. Courses in English, business, sales, and mechanical drafting are helpful. Hobbies that involve manual dexterity and attention to detail can help develop mechanical ability. Summer or part-time work as a receptionist or stock clerk in an optical lab provides good exposure to this occupation.

Costs to workers

Some workers may pay annual dues to belong to a professional association. Workers who belong to a union are required to pay initiation fees and monthly dues.

Licensing/certification

Dispensing opticians must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.

Licensing requirements for dispensing opticians include:

• being 18 years of age or older;
• a good moral character;
• a high school graduate;
• completion of one of the following: an accredited two-year course in opticianry technology; a three-year minimum apprenticeship training program (6,000 hours); or five years of experience in a state other than Washington;
• passing a written and practical exam and a state law exam; and
• four-clock hours of HIV/AIDS education.

The license application fee is $100 and the annual renewal fee is $125.

For license renewal, opticians must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education courses every three years, of which 15 hours must relate to contact lenses.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Dispensing Optician Examining Committee 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
360.236.4700

#pob change 2/22/12 lh. No changes 4/11/13 cj. fine 3/25/14 lh. Added need to pass state law exam as that looked like an additional requirement beyond standard written/practical exam; rest ok 3/11/15 cj. Licensing info still the same, 12/12/16 cj. no fee changes 2/20/18 lh. Updated fees 4/8/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Opticians, Dispensing 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by experience and training. For example, certified graduates of opticianry schools have higher earnings.

Opticians who work full time usually receive benefits. Common benefits are health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Ophthalmologists' and optometrists' offices
• Optical shops
• Doctors' offices

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong due to the increase in the aging population. More emphasis is also being placed on regular eye exams for all age groups.

Fashion also influences demand. Currently, glasses are a fashion accessory instead of something to be worn only when contact lenses cannot be worn. Frames come in a large variety of styles and colors. This encourages people to buy more than one pair. Improvements in bifocal, extended-wear, and disposable contact lenses also will spur demand for opticians.

Job prospects will be best for people with an associate degree and certification.

Other resources

American Board of Opticianry/National Contact Lens Examiners 
217 North Upper Street, Suite 201
Lexington, KY 40507
800.296.1379
703.719.5800

American Optometric Association 
243 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
800.365.2219

Explore Health Careers: Optician (Dispensing) 

National Academy of Opticianry 
8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 605
Landover, MD 20785
800.229.4828
301.577.4828

Opticians Association of America 

Opticians Association of Washington 
PO Box 2489
Yakima, WA 98907
509.961.4169

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• Opticians, Dispensing (29-2081.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Optician Apprentice, Dispensing (299.361-014) 
• Optician, Dispensing (299.361-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Optician

Holland occupational clusters

• Enterprising/Conventional/Realistic
• Enterprising/Conventional/Social

COPSystem

• Science Skilled
• Service Skilled